BASSO IN U-TURN?

Wantaway Bristol City keeper Adriano Basso is thought to be on the verge of withdrawing his transfer request to remain at Ashton Gate.

The 34-year-old Brazilian shocked the club last month by slapping in a written transfer request to try and force a move to a club at a higher level, despite his agent advising him to sign a lucrative new deal on offer from City.

But the Robins have yet to receive a single enquiry for Basso, despite newspaper reports linking him with moves to West Ham or Sheffield United, forcing the South American to reconsider his future.

Faced with the prospect of rotting in the stands this season, which is where any player who thinks they are bigger than the club should be, Basso genuinely believed he could force a move to one of Europe`s elite league`s following four impressive years in the South-West.

However, he has remained training with the first-team in recent weeks and is thought to still be on talking terms with Gary Johnson and his assistant Keith Millen, opening the door for a U-turn less than 48 hours before the Championship kick-off.

Asked how he would respond should the Brazilian withdraw his request for a move, Johnson told the Bristol Evening Post: "That would be a different kettle of fish. I don't know how I would react to that.

'Nothing can change while I still have that letter in my possession. The situation can only change if he asks for it back.

'Had he not given me that letter, there would not have been a problem. He could have agreed to leave it until the end of the season and waited to see what happened then. There's a big difference if he tells me he wants to do his best for the team and the club.'

Manager Johnson mentioned only last week that he was poised to recruit a new stopper on 'Monday or Tuesday` of this week but nobody has arrived to date.

Whatever happens with him, it remains to be seen if a U-turn will matter a jot with fans. He was still prepared to give up cult-status with us and seems to be only considering a return because he has nowhere better to go. The lack of interest speaks volumes about the size of his ego given his error-prone status in the English game.